Now 92-year-old Jean says: “David is so lovely, funny and so tall – his legs go higher than my shoulders. I liked him very much.

"If I were a few years younger maybe I’d have married him.”

Since winning Fundraiser of the Year, Jean – better known around East Yorkshire as “the Bee Lady” – has enjoyed the life of a celebrity in her home city of Hull.

She has opened shops, presented prizes and even inspired a yellow-and-black striped phone box.

Best of all, says Jean, was the opening of a bee-themed restaurant in her local Age UK centre.

She says: “It’s called the Beehive Restaurant and it has lots of little bees painted on the walls – it’s lovely.

"It really brings cheer to the people there and that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I feel honoured to be able to help them.”

Jean had raised £92,000 for Age UK by the time she attended last year’s Pride of Britain awards ceremony. Together with her worker bee David, she visited the tables full of celebrities, politicians and even royalty with her collection bucket and reached her £100,000 target on the night.

She says: “It was amazing – I had never seen so many £50 notes in my life. People really were shoving them into my buckets. I call anyone who puts pennies into my can my friend and that night I made 800 new friends.

“I always said I’d stop at £100,000. But I realise there’s no such thing as stopping until the arthritis in my legs forces me to. Now I want to raise £200,000.”

Your nominee may have displayed astonishing bravery such as last year’s winner lollipop lady Karin Williams, from the Vale of Glamorgan, who put herself between a group of schoolchildren and an out-of-control car.

Or they could be a truly inspirational character like Daniel Black, who selflessly gave up his own chance of walking again to help a little boy he had never met.

The 25-year-old was paralysed in a bike accident in 2009 and had raised £22,000 in the hope experimental treatment could help him walk. But when he heard of six-year-old Brecon Vaughan, with cerebral palsy, he gave every penny to the boy’s family.

Carol Vorderman believes we all know someone who deserves to be nominated for an award. As host of the nation’s most emotive awards for the past 15 years, she sees a common trait in every winner.

Carol says: “It isn’t about who has run through fire. Raising millions doesn’t make you a more deserving winner than someone who’s raised hundreds.

“Pride of Britain winners are people who capture your heart. Simple as that. If you know someone who has captured your heart the nation is likely to feel the same, so please nominate them.”

Neville Williams

All aboard: Pride of Britain coach

As well as fronting Pride of Britain, Carol is heavily involved behind the scenes for weeks before the ITV1 show.

She gets to know the winners and families and is moved to tears by their courage, self-sacrifice and modesty.

“I’m a blubbering wreck every year,” she says. “By the time I’m presenting the show I’m familiar with their stories but still have to battle to keep it together.

“I see celebrities in the audience in bits too. It’s an extraordinary event. Celebrities aren’t booked, they queue up to come. The room is full of influential people sniffling into their hankies.

“Last year I asked the Strictly Come Dancing stars to rattle buckets for Jean to raise money for Age UK because it was an opportunity too good to miss.”

Carol, 53, believes the feel-good factor of Pride of Britain is an antidote to depressing news and helps boost the mood of the nation.

“The fact 5.5 million viewers tune in says a lot about us Brits. We like to see special people among us recognised for good things because it makes us feel proud. It’s good to see those with incredible human spirit, and humility, rewarded.

“Watching the show changes us and makes us all nicer people. It makes us think we should become bone marrow donors, look after our elderly neighbours more, dedicate more of our time to charity or be brave and bold.”

Last year Prince Charles, Prince William, PM David Cameron, David Beckham, singers Nicole Scherzinger and Katherine Jenkins, Professor Stephen Hawking, actor James Corden, and football legends Kenny Dalglish and Sir Geoff Hurst all came along to honour ordinary folk doing the extraordinary.

The 2014 Pride of Britain ceremony, in October at London’s Grosvenor House, will include two new awards – the Good Morning Britain Local Hero award and ITV Fundraiser of the Year, the latter with finalists from each ITV region.

We launch our search for new nominations with a 900-mile, nationwide tour, starting this morning at the ITV Good Morning Britain studios.

Rolling across the UK until Saturday, our special National Express coach will stop to pick up nominations for everyday people who deserve the spotlight.

Tom Stables, managing director of National Express UK Coach, says: “National Express is thrilled to again be the official travel partner for the Pride of Britain Awards and we’re excited to roll out our special-edition coach showcasing highlights from previous years.

“As the UK’s largest coach operator we serve communities across the UK and backing Pride of Britain is a really fitting way to support those extraordinary people the length and breadth of the country who go the extra mile – and then some – for others.”

So do you know someone deserving an award? Like 2013 Child of Courage Harley Lane, who lost his arms and legs to meningitis and unforgettably turned down a kiss from Nicole.

Pride of Britain winners can be any age, from any walk of life. Perhaps you know a tireless fundraiser?

Or an emergency worker or member of the Armed Forces who has gone beyond the call of duty? Tell us about them by visiting www.prideofbritain.com or filling in a form on the Pride of Britain coach.

We need the nation to celebrate its unsung heroes. Help us find them by nominating today.